An Introduction to Digital Signage

Digital Signage is the name given to a new and emerging form of advertising that is growing rapidly in todays digital environment. Digital Signage is exactly what its name implies. It is a way of utilizing electronic data to produce a sign that does not need to be physically altered in any way. The content and the message displayed on the sign is displayed on an electronic screen. The screen may be a scrolling message board or a LCD or plasma display panel. They are often viewed as electronic billboards. The sign is controlled remotely using a computer or other device that is remotely located.

Although digital signage has been around for sometime, it has been extremely expensive in the past. It is actually the development of digital signage software that has spurred the rapid expansion into the market place. Walmart is one of the first retail establishments to take full advantage of the technology. Digital signage that is displayed on television screens located at key locations in their stores target specific items with videos and changing messages. Best Buy is another large retailer that has made use of digital signage. It is estimated that the sale of indoor and outdoor retail displays will increase 300% in the next five years.

The matching of digital signage software to a specific need or problem is known as a digital signage solution. Digital signage solutions have made the operation of the hardware and the control of the content possible with minimal training. Digital signage is being used on Church signs, in schools, and in government offices to relay information. The United States Post office is one of the largest users of digital signage in the world. New hardware that is capable of storing video and audio programs that have been downloaded to a personal computer can be used to create virtually any form of display on the sign.

The reluctance to use digital signage stems from several factors. It is a relatively new form of advertising and the ROI (return on investment) data is incomplete. There is also some resistance to it in established advertising agencies and departments. This is mostly just the human nature type of resistance to change. The rapid spread of digital signage and the obvious appeal has been breaking down objections, and the constantly shrinking costs have made the ROI much more attractive. The data that has been collected has shown that consumers are very impressed with digital signage and generally react favorably to it.

Natalie Aranda writes about business and computers. Digital Signage is the name given to a new and emerging form of advertising that is growing rapidly in todays digital environment. Digital Signage is exactly what its name implies. It is a way of utilizing electronic data to produce a sign that does not need to be physically altered in any way. The content and the message displayed on the sign is displayed on an electronic screen. The screen may be a scrolling message board or a LCD or plasma display panel. They are often viewed as electronic billboards. The sign is controlled remotely using a computer or other device that is remotely located.

Digital Signage
Digital signage is the newest player to the world of out-of-home advertising, and has been taking over the industry with a vengeance. The term digital signage refers to screens both large and small that are used to show content and advertising. The screens are usually networked to a main content server which can usually be administered from anywher...

Evolution of Dynamic Digital Signage
Dynamic digital signage has evolved significantly since its inception and it is helpful to understand how this has happened. Basically, digital signage consists of visual content being delivered by a network of displays that is controlled and managed from a central location. Almost every private and public place you visit will be using digital sig...

Digital Signage, Visual Merchandising, Electronic Billboards? Dictionary Please!
Yep, you've heard it a million times before... the digital age is well and truly upon us! You need only take a look around to see the world is converting to digital in every way - cameras, tvs, books music - so it is no surprise that signage has jumped on board and taken a step into the digital world.Appearing everywhere before our very eyes, digit...

A Brief History of Digital Signage
Digital signage is a relatively new form of advertising that allows companies to use electronic screens to broadcast information, commercials, or anything else of their choosing to large amounts of people. This kind of advertisement is spreading to different venues like wild fire. From malls to restaurants to airports to post offices, digital sig...

New Advertising Technology - How Digital Signage Works
There is a new form of advertising growing with great speed in the current industry and its called the Digital Signage. This advertising form is rocking the digital advertising world with its great features which are awesome just like its name implies. In digital signing, the electronic data is handled and controlled from one administrative console...

Digital Signage - Five Things You Need to Know, Five May Not
Whenever I write these columns, I share a common predicament with those who create content for digital signs: How do I communicate my message to a mixed audience, some of whom have a detailed knowledge about my subject and others who at best have a passing familiarity?I'll do my best in this column to serve up some information that old hands and ne...

Digital Signage - Out-of-Home Advertising Gains Public Recognition
The concept of advertising with media outside of the home gained a good degree of notoriety Sunday in The Los Angeles Times with a major article by staff writer Alana Semuels.The 1,000-word article, "Now showing very near you...", makes a strong case for digital signage networks and advertising as well as other out-of-home media. In the article, Se...